Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
- Provide functional assessment, triage, brief intervention, education and consultative services regarding a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, on referral from PACT providers.
- Provide a full range of psychological services to patients in Primary Care.
- Perform mental health evaluations of Primary Care patients who request or are otherwise identified by the primary care provider as needing assessment for possible behavioral health interventions or mental health treatment.
- Provide brief, time-limited behavioral health/psychotherapeutic interventions to patients in the Primary Care Clinic setting.
- Design and implement effective treatment strategies based on clinical need, and incorporates new clinical procedures as indicated.
- Consult with Primary Care Clinic staff on a wide variety of mental health and behavioral health-related patient care issues.
- Facilitate patient referrals to specialty Mental Health Services programs when clinically indicated.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j.
Education: Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, & Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from . NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, & unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis & treatment
- Exception: VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. The requirement of licensure may be waived for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed
Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as LPMHC on 4/03/2018 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education & licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Employees who do not meet the basic requirements required, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- Employees in an occupation that require licensure, may be reassigned/promoted up to & including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Employees in an occupation that require licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
- Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to 4/3/2018 may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
- If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status & must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
Grade Determinations:
GS-9 (Entry Level):
Experience, Education, & Licensure: This is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience post-master's degree or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed under basic requirements, & are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
- Ability to engage in intake & assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning & implementation, continuum of care, evaluation & follow-up
- Knowledge of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices
- Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, & strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, & career development across the life span
- Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions
- Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, & relational functioning of individuals, groups & families & on the counseling approaches, strategies, & techniques that will best help patients function effectively
- Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation & delivery of services, such as Telehealth
- Ability to learn & utilize software programs in use by VHA
- Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, & regulations affecting professional practice of counseling
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with people from varied backgrounds
Experience, Education, & Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience & must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the basic requirements & meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
- Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, & recommendation for treatment planning & implementation
- Advanced knowledge & mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems & maintaining an effective counseling relationship
- Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues & trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings & discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases & confer about the counseling perspectives & orientation
- Ability to provide complex crisis intervention & stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment & skill
- Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, & psychosocial assessment
- Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions
- Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses & formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices
- Ability to develop & facilitate psychotherapy & psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, & community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: .
Additional information
This position requires a valid state driver's license & local travel to provide community-based care to Veterans through the use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS9 to GS11
Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, &and carrying supplies. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the incumbent or others. The incumbent must be able to pass VA requirements for operation of a government vehicle. Position may require walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Position may require travel to provide clinical services to Veterans in the community, clinics, medical centers, CBOC's, etc. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j.
Education: Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, & Family Counseling. CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from . NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling
Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, & unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis & treatment
- Exception: VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure. The requirement of licensure may be waived for a period not to exceed 3 years for a LPMHC that provides care under the clinical supervision of a licensed LPMHC who is at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed
Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as LPMHC on 4/03/2018 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education & licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Employees who do not meet the basic requirements required, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- Employees in an occupation that require licensure, may be reassigned/promoted up to & including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Employees in an occupation that require licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
- Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to 4/3/2018 may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
- If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status & must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
Grade Determinations:
GS-9 (Entry Level):
Experience, Education, & Licensure: This is the entry grade level for LPMHCs with less than one year of experience post-master's degree or for LPMHCs at the master's or doctoral level who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed LPMHCs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed under basic requirements, & are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the basic requirements, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
- Ability to engage in intake & assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning & implementation, continuum of care, evaluation & follow-up
- Knowledge of current Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical interventions using professional counseling practices
- Basic knowledge of professional counseling practice with emphasis on human development principles through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic interventions, & strategies that address high risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, & career development across the life span
- Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions
- Ability to serve on an interdisciplinary team with focus on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, & relational functioning of individuals, groups & families & on the counseling approaches, strategies, & techniques that will best help patients function effectively
- Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation & delivery of services, such as Telehealth
- Ability to learn & utilize software programs in use by VHA
- Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case laws, ethical codes, & regulations affecting professional practice of counseling
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally & in writing, with people from varied backgrounds
Experience, Education, & Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's or post- doctoral degree mental health counseling experience & must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the basic requirements & meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 grade level, the candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
- Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, & recommendation for treatment planning & implementation
- Advanced knowledge & mastery of the fundamentals of the counseling process which includes defining patient/family problems & maintaining an effective counseling relationship
- Ability to provide subject matter consultation to colleagues & trainees on the counseling process within various specialty areas, build on the foundation of competence through regular meetings & discussions to explain assignments, review progress of cases & confer about the counseling perspectives & orientation
- Ability to provide complex crisis intervention & stabilization to patients who are in psychological distress. Requires independent judgment & skill
- Ability to establish goals/treatment through a collaborative process with the patient utilizing advanced counseling skills, including evidenced- based practices, screening, & psychosocial assessment
- Ability to use a wide variety of individual, group, or family counseling interventions
- Ability to fully utilize the current DSM in making diagnoses & formulation of treatment goals & application of appropriate clinical intervention using professional counseling practices
- Ability to develop & facilitate psychotherapy & psycho- education groups that include life skills, family support, & community integration. This may include evidence based psychotherapy
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: .
Additional information
This position requires a valid state driver's license & local travel to provide community-based care to Veterans through the use of a government vehicle or other individual arrangements.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS9 to GS11
Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, &and carrying supplies. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the incumbent or others. The incumbent must be able to pass VA requirements for operation of a government vehicle. Position may require walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Position may require travel to provide clinical services to Veterans in the community, clinics, medical centers, CBOC's, etc. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .